But let’s be real: It’s hard to get them to sleep, little ninjas having all this energy just as you want to wind down. The good news? You have your go-to thing: a great bedtime story! With the right story, you can make those nightly rituals magical, and you can make them something that your child loves to do.
And bedtime stories, shockingly, aren’t only calming; a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics even suggests that reading to your child every night supports language growth and increases the bond you share with him/her — win-win!
In this post, I’ve collected some of the best bedtime reading titles for kids, chosen to lull and comfort and get your child’s mind wandering as they drift off.
Let’s review some classics, inspirational picture books, and the latest releases that will be bedtime favorites. So get cozy, grab a book, and take a journey with soft words and beautiful illustrations to make bedtime the best time of day.
1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
First on our list is an old favorite: ‘Goodnight Moon,’ a bedtime favorite for decades. Its slow rhymes and soft illustrations can lull kids to sleep.
It’s about a bunny saying goodnight to all of the objects in his bedroom and giving you that soothing, old-fashioned routine before bed. [source: Scholastic](https://www.scholastic.com)Over 48 million copies worldwide have been sold of this book, and with good reason—it is bedtime wizardry.
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
You probably already know this one! Not only is ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ loved by children, but it is also recommended as a great bedtime story by child development professionals. Its recurring drumming narrative keeps children listening and gradually settles them as the caterpillar feeds its way to change.
Over 50 million copies have been sold worldwide, and [Healthline](https://www.healthline.com) ranks it among the best books for teaching kids how to write stories.
3. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
In this delightfully illustrated novel, a little bunny and his dad fall in love through ever-more-cute analogies. Guess How Much I Love You* is sweet, sentimental, and good to start the night together. The book has been translated into 57 different languages, so the message is universal.
4. Anna Dewdney Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
For a kid who won’t let her be in bed alone, Lama Llama Red Pajama is just for him/her. The story of the little llama who gets anxious when his mother isn’t around is something for parents and children alike.
That reassuring ending of the story will put an end to sleepless nights. Even one of the best books for crazed insomnia was mentioned by *The Washington Post*.
5. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
A wild tale with rich illustrations, Where the Wild Things Are might not be your typical bedtime read, but it is heartwarming.
It is about a boy named Max who goes to live with “wild things” and finds there’s no place like home. The classic is a beautiful lesson in the comfort and love of a parent.
6. Time for Bed by Mem Fox
With its soothing rhymes and tender drawings, *Time for Bed* is one of the best bedtime stories for relaxing at the end of a long day.
Every page has a different animal parent as they put their baby to bed – and that’s a beautiful rhythm. This book has been nominated for awards from *Parents Magazine* and is still a best-selling book for toddlers and preschoolers.
7. Nancy TillmanOn the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
It is a book that focuses on every child and feels like it’s one of them. “On the Night You Were Born” feels poetic and a bit lullaby-ish, and the cover is impressive. [Parenting. Com](https://www.parenting.com) has it rated as the number one tool for feeling safe and loved before bed.
8. Goodnight, Goodnight, Building Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
This is the one for you if your kid has a truck or is a construction fan! Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site combines imagination with bedtime relaxation. Every car in the book says goodnight, teaching kids to get some sleep after a long day. It’s great for fun bedtime rituals recommended by [Reading Rockets](https://www.readingrockets.org).
9. The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
If you’re in a hurry, these books short-and-sweet verses are just for you. *The Going to Bed Book* is funny and silly as a motley crew of creatures get ready for bed. Boynton’s books are recommended by *PBS Kids* because they are so easy to read.
10. Dream Animals by Emily Winfield Martin
Dream Animals is a fun book that invites the reader to imagine enchanted animals who visit them in their dreams. Thanks to its twilight pictures and lyrical prose, the book is perfect for guiding children into dreamland.
11. Susan Marie Swanson‘s The House in the Night
Modeled on bedtime rhymes, *The House in the Night* unfolds with delicate rhyme and bleak yet soothing images. [The Children’s Book Review](https://www.thechildren’ sbookreview.com) says to calm down with this Caldecott Medal winner.
12. Margaret Wise Brown Runaway Bunny
From the author of Goodnight Moon: The classic tale of a tiny bunny who hopes to escape but is kept from doing so by his mom. The Runaway Bunny is highly recommended for its pretty illustrations and calming tune that will ease kids to sleep.
13. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
It is a more satirical book and great for kids who like a bit of pre-bed fun. It is the story of a mouse who asks for more complicated things and returns to where he left off. The playful lyric will be famous with children and is a perfect transition to bed.
14. Ezra Jack KeatsThe Snowy Day
The Snowy Day—A Winter Magic, for the rest of us. The Snowy Day will bring out the silences and serenity of a snow-covered day. It has a quiet story and lovely illustrations and is a bedtime classic.
15. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Staralluna is about a baby bat raised to be different and generous. Its soft plot and sweet characters keep children cozy and cozy in this book.
16. I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth
The book’s sweet, basic plot, of a parent bear falling in love with his cub, makes for one sleep-time comfort read. It is listed as one of the best preschool books in *The New York Times* for its universal messages about love and safety.
17. Corduroy by Don Freeman
A friend-losing bear story, Corduroy is as memorable as it is sweet. This folk-rock chanting is about friendship and inclusion, and it’s just the perfect bedtime song.
18. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
The Little Engine That Could teach kids to be strong. It’s more narrative than other books on this list, but it’s a great way to end the day.
19. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
This tale about a giraffe finding his dance contains a lot of rhyme and encouraging sentiment. It’s naughty but so warming and a great addition to bedtime.
20. You Belong Here by M.H. Clark
It is a love letter, a declaration that all children belong. You Belong Here has soft illustrations and poetry prose for a gentle bedtime read. [Book Riot](https://bookriot.com) has it on their list for any kid’s library.
Final Thoughts
Each of these books adds something different to bedtime — humor, warmth, adventure, or assurance. Making them a part of your bedtime routine does more than prepare children for bed. It keeps them safe, loved, and cared for.
From [Scholastic](https://www.scholastic.com), [Healthline](https://www.healthline.com), and [Reading Rockets](https://www.readingrockets.org) with an army of recommended lists, they’re known to get children into good dreams. So, getting out a book, opening it up, and watching bedtime become less a chore and more a sacred experience. Happy reading!